Gov. John deJongh Jr. announced Tuesday the names of 14 Virgin Islanders he has appointed to the Centennial Commission, a "special and temporary" commission established for "the purpose of formulating plans and making preparations to commemorate and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States of America," according to Government House.

In accordance with Act No. 7157, which was enacted in 2010 and amended in January to specify that the Centennial Commission must include six residents of St. Croix, six residents of St. Thomas and three residents of St. John, all to be appointed by the governor.

In addition, the commission is to include the presidents of two Virgin Islands organizations that foster the ongoing relationship between the Virgin Islands and Denmark. The legislation also provides that the president of the Legislature appoint two senators, one from each district.

"I selected individuals who are active in the community and have held leadership positions in various organizations ranging from cultural commissions to academia, deJongh said of his choices. "I wanted to ensure that the Centennial Commission represents the strength and diversity of the community, and that the commission members appreciate not only that the future of the Virgin Islands grows out of our cultural and social ties to Denmark and the United States, but that the future we build together is one which we can all embrace and understand."

The governor’s appointees from St. Croix are Sonia Jacobs Dow, Al Franklin, Gerville Larsen, Hans Lawaetz, Eugene Petersen and Pamela C. Richards Samuel.

The St. Thomas appointees are Cecile R. deJongh, Lois Hassell-Habtes, Marilyn Krigger, Ronald Lockhart, Clement Magras and Roy Watlington.

There are two appointees from St. John, Pat Harley and Robert O’Connor, with a third to be appointed in the near future.

Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone has appointed Sen. Myron D. Jackson from the St. Thomas-St. John district and Sen. Sammuel Sanes from the St. Croix district to serve on the commission.

The commission elected Richards Samuel as its chairwoman and Larsen as its vice-chair.

"The Transfer Day Centennial is an opportunity to showcase the Virgin Islands on a grand scale and help others appreciate the contributions of Virgin Islands to the nation since we became U.S. citizens," deJongh said, adding that his vision of the Centennial celebrations includes “an open dialogue on the struggles that our ancestors overcame to ensure the liberties we enjoy today. Also part of these celebrations must be an exploration of our cultural inheritance from Denmark, the United States and Africa. By understanding our past, I am confident that we can foster a future of greater economic opportunity for all.”

Act No. 7157 established a separate fund within the Treasury of the Virgin Islands to provide resources for the Transfer Day anniversary celebration, which is to commence on or before Aug. 4, 2016, and terminate on Dec. 31, 2017. The legislation also specifies that the Tourism commissioner is responsible for establishing the policies for the expenditure of all monies contained in the fund.